If your classroom is anything like mine, like the sensory bin, there is always a crowd at the blocks center. Each day my students become architects, engineers, craftsman, and human wrecking balls! First of all, building with blocks is fun and can keep children occupied for hours. But most importantly, blocks provide an avenue to extensive learning and development that happens of course, through play!
Learning at the Preschool Blocks Center
Like all centers in a quality preschool, the blocks center is about learning and development. While children build towers of differently shaped blocks, they are feeling geometric shapes with their hands. Similarly, when one light touch sends that tower crashing down, they are learning the nature of cause and effect. Therefore, more is happening than meets the eye.
As stated above, there are math concepts to be learned at the blocks center as well. Children will see and feel various geometric shapes, thus reinforcing prior learning. Likewise, there is learning to be done in the areas of spatial awareness, critical thinking, patterning, and simple engineering.
Social/Emotional Development
Probably the most important area of growth and learning at the blocks center is in social/emotional development. Again, you will see the transition from parallel play to playing with others develop over time. With blocks, learn to share, take turns, and most notably to respect one another’s creations. It seems like each year I watch children learn that it is NOT cool to knock over another friend’s tower. In contrast, there is the beginning of teamwork. At some point children learn that while creating their own small tower is fun, combining forces, minds, and materials to create something bigger can be awesome! It is so rewarding to watch children learn to problem-solve and work together to create architectural masterpieces at the blocks center!
As a result, I often hear, “Mrs. Lee! Come and see what we made!” That statement almost certainly reflects their sense of pride and sheer joy in their creations.
Rules and Procedures
As with every learning center, creating clear but simple rules and procedures at the blocks table from the beginning is a must! I use a necklace system at all of my free choice centers to minimize crowding and to ensure there are enough materials for everyone. Also, as I introduce the blocks center, I emphasize 3 important rules. The first rule at the blocks center, and at every center is that we share toys. Secondly, we never knock over a friend’s tower unless they say we can. Finally, we never grab toys or blocks from a friend’s hands. I repeat those 3 rules almost every day and add one or two more if appropriate. (depending on materials and the previous day’s issues)
Preschool Blocks Center Ideas
There are so many things you can put at your blocks table the list could be endless. Because children can get bored easily, I like to add different toys and manipulatives along with traditional materials to mix it up. You might want to try adding animals, dolls, bugs, trucks and cars, small carpet squares or anything else that fits your theme or looks interesting.
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Dollhouse Stack -
Polar Animals -
Dinosaurs & Carpet Squares -
Pet Homes -
Magnatiles-the ultimate favorite!
Listed below are a few of my favorites.
- Wood Blocks
- Soft Blocks
- Magnatiles
- Legos
- Mega-blocks
- Lincoln Logs
- Trains & Track
- Dollhouse
- Large Cardboard Blocks
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Cars & Garages -
Trains & Track -
Magnatiles -
Legos -
Soft Blocks -
Lincoln Logs
Changing your blocks center periodically will open opportunities for children to learn and explore. As a result, you will have fewer behavior problems, an engaged group of students, and a positive learning environment. Above all, you will cultivate curiosity, cooperation and a love of learning that will last a lifetime!
